Efficient uptake of 85Sr and 60Co using fabricated inorganic sorbent for reducing radiation doses of simulated low-level waste.

The present study investigated the sorption behavior of 85Sr and 60Co radionuclides from aqueous solutions onto tin molybdate (SnMo) sorbent. SnMo has been synthesized using the precipitation method and was characterized using four analytical techniques including FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and XRF. The sorption studies applied on 85Sr and 60Co include the effect of shaking time, pH, concentration, and saturation capacity. The experimental data revealed that the sorption process was carried out after equilibrium time (180 min). The saturation capacity for 85Sr and 60Co is measured to be 58.1 and 52.2 mg g-1, respectively. The sorption behavior of studied radionuclides is dependent on pH values. Sorption kinetic better fit with the pseudo-second-order model. Furthermore, the sorption isotherm is better represented by the model proposed by Langmuir. The results of the desorption investigations indicated that the most effective eluents for achieving full recovery of investigated radionuclides were identified. Finally, the recycling results demonstrate the suitability of SnMo for affected sorbing of 85Sr and 60Co from aqueous solutions. All the obtained data clarify that the SnMo sorbent is an effective means of removing 85Sr and 60Co from liquid waste.

Radiological assessment of different monazite grades after mechanical separation from black sand.

In Egyptian black sands, monazite is a precious mineral characterized by its composition, which includes crucial constituents such as thorium, trace amounts of uranium, and rare earth elements. It is essential to evaluate and quantify the extent of gamma-ray exposure resulting from the presence of primordial radionuclides. This necessity arises from human activities that extract and retrieve raw materials in uranium and thorium mining operations. The current study focuses on the radiological assessment of Monazite raw material in various grades and calculates the associated hazard indices. A hyper pure Germanium detector (HPGe) determined the particular activity. For grade, 90% Monazite samples, the average activities for 232Th, 238U, and 40K were 348,008 ± 1406, 69,299 ± 2086, and 27,510 ± 245 Bq/kg, respectively. For grade 75% Monazite samples, the average activities were 219,000 ± 901, 55,000 ± 500, and 18,300 ± 86 Bq/kg, while for grade 50% Monazite samples, it was 43,294 ± 1549, 9593 ± 629, and 4000 ± 211 Bq/kg for the same element, respectively. Also, 138La's inherent radioactivity was taken into account. The computed effective and absorbed dosages exceed the worker's exempt limit of 20 mSv/y. The calculated hazard parameters are higher than the maximum recommended limits. Therefore, it is imperative to employ radiation safety measures to mitigate the potential hazards of ionizing radiation.

Multi-source irradiation facility with improved space configuration for neutron activation analysis: Design optimization.

A neutron irradiation facility consisting of six 241Am-Be neutron sources of 30 Ci total activity and 6.6 × 107 n/s total neutron yield is designed. The sources are embedded in a cubic paraffin wax, which plays a dual role as both moderator and reflector. The sample passage and irradiation channel are represented by a cylindrical path of 5 cm diameter passing through the facility core. The proposed design yields a high degree of space symmetry and thermal neutron homogeneity within 98% of flux distribution throughout the irradiated spherical sample of 5 cm diameter. The obtained thermal neutron flux is 8.0 × 104 n/cm2.s over the sample volume, with thermal-to-fast and thermal-to-epithermal ratios of 1.20 and 3.35, respectively. The design is optimized for maximizing the thermal neutron flux at sample position using the MCNP-5 code. The irradiation facility is supposed to be employed principally for neutron activation analysis.

Relations among glycemic control, circulating endothelial cells, nitric oxide, and flow mediated dilation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: Circulating endothelial cells (CEC) have been identified as a surrogate marker of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the association of glycemic control with CEC and endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: We studied 30 patients with type 2 DM and 20 age and sex matched healthy controls (HC). Number of circulating endothelial cells was measured by flow cytometry. Endothelial function was studied by measuring flow mediated vasodilation (FMD%) in the brachial artery and serum level of nitric oxide (NO). RESULTS: CEC count was significantly elevated in patients with DM, than HC (35.3±15.1 vs. 7.3±2.4, p<0.001) and in patients with HbA1c>7 than patients with HbA1c≤7 (47.4±5.5 vs. 19.5±5.7, p<0.001). FMD% and NO were lower in DM patients than HC (3.5±0.85 vs. 9.5±3.1, p<0.001 and 37.8±6.1 vs. 64.1±5.7, p<0.001 respectively). FMD% and NO were lower in patients with HbA1c>7 as compared to patients with HA1c≤7 (2.8±0.4 vs. 4.3±0.4, p<0.001 and 33.1±2.9 vs. 43.9±2.8, respectively, p<0.001). HbA1c correlated negatively with FMD% and NO levels and positively with CEC. CEC count correlated negatively with FMD% and NO. There was a significant positive correlation between CEC count and HBA1c (p<0.001 for all correlations). CONCLUSION: CEC is associated with markers of endothelial dysfunction and disease control in patients with type 2 DM. These findings suggest a potential role of CEC in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetic and raise the importance of tight glycemic control.

Immunofluorescent diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the respiratory tract and the eye.

Direct and indirect immunofluorescent antibodies as well as IgM antichlamydia antibodies were studied for diagnosis of 60 patients with Chlamydia trachomatis infection as well as 20 normal controls (group C). 30 Patients were suffering from C. trachomatis pneumonia (group A) and the other 30 patients were suffering from trachoma eye infection (group B). Indirect immunofluorescent technique (IIF) was positive 9.9% of group A. IgM antichlamydia antibodies by ELISA was positive in 23.3% and 16.6% in group "A" and "B" respectively. While highly positive results (60%) were obtained in conjunctival smears of group "B" when using direct immunofluorescent staining.

Effect of phenobarbitone and propionyl-promazine on serum enzymes in carbon-tetrachloride hepatotoxicity.

The influence of phenobarbitone givenin ten repeated doses simultaneously with small doses of CCl4 on serum enzymes was investigated in albino rats. The same experiment was repeated to investigate the influence of propionyl-promazine (phenothiazine derivative). The results proved that SGPT is a more specific and sensitive index than SGOT of hepato-cellular injury. The activity ratio between serum GOT and GPT in the normal control group was 2.44. The activity of SGPT increased nearly 6.1 fold after CCl4 administration and thus the activity ratio between GOT and GPT is sharply reduced to 0.56. The activity of serum GPT when CCl4 and phenobarbitone were administered together showed value of about 1/2 of the value when CCl4 was administered alone, while it remained high when CCl4 administration was combined with propionyl-promazine. Serum GOT and alkaline phosphatase increased significantly in all the groups. Regarding the pathological examination of the liver it was found that marked fatty necrosis could be demonstrated when high values of SGPT was found, which is not the case with serum GOT. It is concluded that in the present experimental conditions phenobarbitone protected the liver from the hepatotoxic effect of CCl4, while propionyl-promazine did not.

Neurological syndromes produced by some toxic metals encountered industrially or environmentally.

Toxic metals encountered industrially or environmentally may produce the following syndromes: 1) Peripheral neuropathy: which is mainly sensory in arsenic and entirely motor with inorganic lead, organophosphorus compounds and tallium produce a mixed form of peripheral neuropathy. 2) Encephalopathy: usually with lead poisoning where ataxia and hemiplegia or optic atrophy may occur. 3) Optic neuritis: transient or permanent impairment of vision in arsenic poisoning and blurring of vision followed by field fedects with thallium poisoning. 4) Cerebellar disturbances: in the form of ataxia in organic mercury. 5) Parkinsonism: extrapyramidal signs occurs in manganese poisoning shown as mask face and rigidity of muscles. 6) Mental changes: as acute psychosis in organic lead and erethism in organic mercury.